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TENNYSON'S POEMS. 



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Fie on thee, King 



/ittl.C- 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 



BY 



ALFRED TEiN'NYSON', D.C.L. 



II 

Poet-Laueeate. 



WHE ILLUSTRATIONS. 



33 




/» P 

//^z^-^-3^3 



BOSTON: 

JAMES R. OSGOOD AND COMPANY, 

Late Ticknoe & Fields, and Fields, Osgood, & Co. 
1872. 









AUTHOR'S EDITION. 
FROM ADVANCE SHEETS. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, 

BY JAMES R. OSGOOD AND COMPANY, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington. 



University Press: Welch, Bigelow, & Co., 
Cambridge. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Paqe 
I. Vignette 8i 



II. Initial 11 

III. " Far off they saw the silver-misty mom 

Rolling her smoke above the Royal mount " . . . 22 '^ 

^- »-^ 

IV. " Fie on thee. King ! " 49 l^x^^M 

u 

V. " And on thro' lanes of shouting Gareth rode 

Down the slope street, and past without the gate " . . 51 '^ 

VI. " Sound sleep be thine ! sound cause to sleep hast thou " 85 ^ 

VII. Tail-piece, " Castle Perilous " 96^ 



GARETH AND LYNETTE, 



With this poem the Author concludes The Idyls of the 
King. 

Gareth follows The Coming of Arthur, and The Last 
Tournament precedes Guinevere. 



Gareth and Eynette. 



BY ALFRED TENNYSON, 

POET LAUREATE. 




)HE last tall son of Lot 

and Bellicent, 
And tallest, Gareth, in a 
showerful spring 
Stared at the spate. A 

slender-shafted Pine 
footing, fell, and so was 
rl'd away. 
" How he went down," said Gareth, " as a false 

knight 
Or evil king before my lance if lance 
Were mine to use — senseless cataract. 



12 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Bearing all down in thy precipitancy — 

And yet thou art but swollen with cold snows, 

And mine is living blood : thou dost His will, 

The Maker's, and not knowest, and I that know. 

Have strength and wit, in my good mother's hall 

Linger with vacillating obedience, 

Prison'd, and kept and coax'd and whistled to — 

Since the good mother holds me still a child — 

Good mother is bad mother unto me ! 

A worse were better ; yet no worse would I. 

Heaven yield her for it, but in me put force 

To weary her ears with one continuous prayer. 

Until she let me fly discaged to sweep 

In ever-highering eagle-circles up 

To the great Sun of Glory, and thence swoop 

Down upon all things base, and dash them dead, 

A knight of Arthur, working out his will. 

To cleanse the world. Why, Gawain, when he came 

With Modred hither in the summertime, 

Ask'd me to tilt with him, the proven knight. 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 13 

Modred for want of worthier was tlie judge. 
Then I so shook him in the saddle, he said, 
* Thou hast haK prevail' d against me,' said so — 

he — 
Tho' Modred biting his thin lips was mute, 
For he is alway sullen : what care I ? " 

And Gareth went, and hovering round her chair 
Ask'd, "Mother, tho' ye count me still the child. 
Sweet mother, do ye love the child?" She laugh'd, 
"Thou art but a w^ild-goose to question it." 
" Then, mother, an ye love the child," he said, 
" Being a goose and rather tame than wild. 
Hear the child's story." "Yea, my well-beloved, 
An 't were but of the goose and golden eggs." 

And Gareth answer'd her with kindling eyes, 
"Nay, nay, good mother, but this Qgg of mine 
Was finer gold than any goose can lay; 
For this an Eagle, a royal Eagle, laid 



14 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Almost beyond eye-reach, on sncli a palm 

As glitters gilded in tliy Book of Hours. 

And there was ever haunting round the palm 

A lusty youth, but poor, who often saw 

The splendor sparkling from aloft, and thought 

'An I could climb and lay my hand upon it. 

Then were I wealthier than a leash of kings.' 

But ever when he reach'd a hand to climb. 

One, that had loved him from his childhood, caught 

And stay'd him, ' Climb not lest thou break thy 

neck, 
I charge thee by my love,' and so the boy, 
Sweet mother, neither clomb, nor brake his neck, 
But brake his very heart in pining for it. 
And past away." 

To whom the mother said, 
"True love, sweet son, had risk'd himself and 

climb'd. 
And handed down the golden treasure to him." 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 15 

And Gareth answer'd her with kindling eyes, 
" Gold ? said I gold ? — ay then, why he, or she, 
Or whosoe'er it was, or half the world 
Had ventured — had the thing I spake of been 
Mere gold — but this was all of that true steel, 
Whereof they forged the brand Excalibur, 
And lightnings play'd about it in the storm. 
And all the little fowl were flurried at it. 
And there were cries and clashings in the nest. 
That sent him from his senses : let me go." 

Then Bellicent bemoan'd herself and said, 
" Hast thou no pity upon my loneliness ? 
Lo, where thy father Lot beside the hearth 
Lies like a log, and all but smoulder' d out ! 
For ever since when traitor to the King 
He fought against him in the Barons' war, 
And Arthur gave him back his territory. 
His age hath slowly droopt, and now lies there 
A yet-warm corpse, and yet unburiable. 



16 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

No more; nor sees, nor hears, nor speaks, nor 

knows. 
And both thy brethren are in Arthur's hall, 
Albeit neither loved with that full love 
I feel for thee, nor worthy such a love : 
Stay therefore thou ; red berries charm the bird, 
And thee, mine innocent, the jousts, the wars, 
"Who never knewest finger-ache, nor pang 
Of wrench'd or broken limb — an often chance 
In those brain- stunning shocks, and tourney-falls, 
Frights to my heart ; but stay : follow the deer 
By these tall firs and our fast-falling burns ; 
So make thy manhood mightier day by day ; 
Sweet is the chase : and I will seek thee out 
Some comfortable bride and fair, to grace 
Thy climbing life, and cherish my prone year. 
Till falling into Lot's forgetfulness 
I know not thee, myself, nor anything. 
Stay, my best son ! ye are yet more boy than 



GARETH AND LYNETTE, 17 

Then Gareth, "An ye hold me yet for child, 

Hear yet once more the story of the child. 

For, mother, there was once a King, like ours; 

The prince his heir, when tall and marriageable, 

Ask'd for a bride ; and thereupon the King 

Set two before him. One was fair, strong, arm'd — 

But to be won by force — and many men 

Desired her ; one, good lack, no man desired. 

And these were the conditions of the King : 

That save he won the first by force, he needs 

Must wed that other, whom no man desired, 

A red-faced bride who knew herself so vile, 

That evermore she long'd to hide herself, 

Nor fronted man or woman, eye to eye — 

Yea — some she cleaved to, but they died of her. 

And one — they call'd her Fame ; and one, 

Mother, 

How can ye keep me tether'd to you — Shame ! 

Man am I grown, a man's work must I do. 

Follow the deer ? follow the Christ, the King, 
2 



18 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King — 
Else, wherefore born 1 " 

To whom the mother said, 
" Sweet son, for there be many who deem him not. 
Or will not deem him, wholly proven King — 
Albeit in mine own heart I knew him King, 
When I was frequent with him in my youth. 
And heard him Kingly speak, and doubted him 
No more than he, himself; but felt him mine. 
Of closest kin to me : yet — wilt thou leave 
Thine easeful biding here, and risk thine all. 
Life, limbs, for one that is not proven King ? 
Stay, till the cloud that settles round his birth 
Hath lifted but a little. Stay, sweet son." 

And Gareth answer'd quickly, "Not an hour, 
So that ye yield me — I will walk thro' fire, • 
Mother, to gain it — your full leave to go. 
Not proven, who swept the dust of ruin'd Eome 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 19 

From off the thresliold of the reahn, and crush'd 
The Idolaters, and made the people free ? 
Who should be King save him who makes us 
free ? " 

So when the Queen, who long had sought in vain 
To break him from the intent to which he grew. 
Found her son's will unwaveringly one. 
She answer'd craftily, " Will ye walk thro' fire ? 
Who walks thro' fire will hardly heed the smoke. 
Ay, go then, an ye must: only one proof. 
Before thou ask the King to make thee knight. 
Of thine obedience and thy love to me. 
Thy mother, — I demand." 

And Gareth cried, 
"A hard one, or a hundred, so I go. 
]^ay — quick ! the proof to prove me to the quick ! " 

But slowly spake the mother, looking at him, 



20 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

" Prince, thou shalt go disguised to Arthur's hall, 
And hire thyself to serve for meats and drinks 
Among the scullions and the kitchen-knaves, 
And those that hand the dish across the bar. 
Nor shalt thou tell thy name to any one. 
And thou shalt serve a twelvemonth and a 
day." 

Tor so the Queen believed that when her son 
Beheld his only way to glory lead 
Low down thro' villain kitchen-vassalage, 
Her own true Gareth was too princely-proud 
To pass thereby; so should he rest with her. 
Closed in her castle from the sound of arms. 

Silent awhile was Gareth, then replied, 
"The thrall in person may be free in soul. 
And I shall see the jousts. Thy son am I, 
And since thou art my mother, must obey. 
I therefore yield me freely to thy will ; 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 21 

For hence will I, disguised, and hire myself 

To serve with scullions and with kitchen-knaves ; 

Nor tell my name to any — no, not the King." 

Gareth awhile linger'd. The mother's eye 
Full of the wistful fear that he would go, 
And turning toward him wheresoe'er he turn'd, 
Perplext his outward purpose, till an hour. 
When waken' d by the wind which with full voice 
Swept bellowing thro' the darkness on to dawn. 
He rose, and out of slumber calling two 
That still had tended on him from his birth, 
Before the wakeful mother heard him, went. 

The three were clad like tillers of the soil. • 
Southward they set their faces. The birds made 
Melody on branch, and melody in mid air. 
The damp hill-slopes were quicken'd into green, 
And the live green had kindled into flowers. 
For it was past the time of Easterday. 



22 



GARETH AND LYNETTE, 



So, wlien their feet were planted on the plain 
That broaden'd toward the base of Camelot, 
Far off they saw the silver-misty morn 
Eolling her smoke about the Eoyal mount, 
That rose between the forest and the field. 




At times the summit of the high city flash'd ; 
At times the spires and turrets half-way down 
Prick'd thro' the mist ; at times the great gate shone 
Only, that open'd on the field below : 
Anon, the whole fair city had disappear'd. 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 23 

Then those who went with Gareth were amazed. 
One crying, " Let iis go no farther, lord. 
Here is a city of Enchanters, built 
By fairy Kings." The second echo'd him, 
" Lord, we have heard from our wise men at 

home 
To Northward, that this King is not the King, 
But only changeling out of Fairyland, 
Who drave the heathen hence by sorcery 
And Merlin's glamour." Then the first again, 
"Lord, there is no such city anywhere. 
But all a vision." 

Gareth answer'd them 
With laughter, swearing he had glamour enow 
In his own blood, his princedom, youth and hopes. 
To plunge old Merlin in the Arabian sea; 
So push'd them all unwilling toward the gate. 
And there was no gate like it under heaven; 
For barefoot on the keystone, which was lined 



24 G ARE Til AND LYNETTE. 

And rippled like an ever-fleeting wave, 
The Lady of the Lake stood : all her dress 
Wept from her sides as water flowing away; 
But like the cross her great and goodly arms 
Stretch'd under all the cornice and upheld : 
And drops of water fell from either hand; 
And down from one a sword was hung, from one 
A censer, either worn with wind and storm; 
And o'er her breast floated the sacred fish; 
And in the space to left of her, and right, 
Were Arthur's wars in weird devices done, 
New things and old co -twisted, as if Time 
Were nothing, so inveterately, that men 
Were giddy gazing there; and over all 
High on the top were those three Queens, the 

friends 
Of Arthur, who should help him at his need. 

Then those with Gareth for so long a space 
Stared at the figures, that at last it seem'd 



GAEETH AND LYNETTE. 25 

The dragon-boughts and elvisli emblemings 
Began to move, seethe, twine and curl : they 

caU'd 
To Gareth, "Lord, the gateway is alive." 

And Gareth likewise on them fixt his eyes 
So long, that ev'n to him they seem'd to move. 
Out of the city a blast of music peal'd. 
Back from the gate started the three, to whom 
From out thereunder came an ancient man, 
Long-bearded, saying, " Who be ye, my sons ? " 

Then Gareth, "We be tillers of the soil, 
Who leaving share in furrow come to see 
The glories of our King: but these, my men, 
(Your city moved so weirdly in the mist,) 
Doubt if the King be King at all, or come 
From fairyland ; and whether this be built 
By magic, and by fairy Kings and Queens ; 
Or whether there be any city at all. 



26 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Or all a vision: and this music now 
Hath scared them both, but tell thou these the 
truth." 

Then that old Seer made answer playing on 
him 
And saying, "Son, I have seen the good ship sail 
Keel upward and mast downward in the heavens. 
And solid turrets topsy-turvy in air: 
And here is truth ; but an it please thee not. 
Take thou the truth as thou hast told it me. 
Tor truly, as thou sayest, a Fairy King 
And Fairy Queens have built the city, son ; 
They came from out a sacred mountain-cleft 
Toward the sunrise, each with harp in hand. 
And built it to the music of their harps. 
And as thou sayest it is enchanted, son, 
For there is nothing in it as it seems 
Saving the King; tho' some there be that hold 
The King a shadow, and the city real: 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 27 

Yet take tliou heed of liim, for, so thou pass 
Beneath this archway, then wilt thou become 
A thrall to his enchantments, for the King 
Will bind thee by such vows, as is a shame 
A man should not be bound by, yet the which 
No man can keep ; but, so thou dread to swear, 
Pass not beneath this gateway, but abide 
Without, among the cattle of the field. 
For, an ye heard a music, like enow 
They are building still, seeing the city is built 
To music, therefore never built at all, 
And therefore built forever." 

Gareth spake 
Anger' d, "Old Master, reverence thine own beard 
That looks as white as utter truth, and seems 
Wellnigh as long as thou art statured tall ! 
Why mockest thou the stranger that hath been 
To thee fair-spoken ? " 

But the Seer replied, 



28 GAEETH AND LYNETTE. 

" Know ye not then the Eiddling of the Bards ? 
'Confusion, and illusion, and relation. 
Elusion, and occasion, and evasion ' ? 
I mock thee not but as thou mockest me, 
And all. that see thee, for thou art not who 
Thou seemest, but I know thee who thou art. 
And now thou goest up to mock the King, 
Who cannot brook the shadow of any lie." 

Unmockingly the mocker ending here 
Turn'd to the right, and past along the plain ; 
Whom Gareth looking after said, " My men, 
Our one white lie sits like a little ghost 
Here on the threshold of our enterprise. 
Let love be blamed for it, not she, nor I: 
Well, we will make amends." 

With all good cheer 
He spake and laugh'd, then enter' d with his twain 
Camelot, a city of shadowy palaces. 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 29 

And stately, rich in emblem and the work 
Of ancient kings who did their days in stone; 
Which Merlin's hand, the Mage at Arthur's court, 
Knowing all arts, had touch'd, and everywhere 
At Arthur's ordinance, tipt with lessening peak 
And pinnacle, and had made it spire to heaven. 
And ever and anon a knight would pass 
Outward, or inward to the hall: his arms 
Clash'd ; and the sound was good to Gareth's ear. 
And out of bower and casement shyly glanced 
Eyes of pure women, wholesome stars of love ; 
And all about a healthful people stept 
As in the presence of a gracious king. 

Then into hall Gareth ascending heard 
A voice, the voice of Arthur, and beheld 
Far over heads in that long-vaulted hall 
The splendor of the presence of tlie King 
Throned, and delivering doom — and look'd no 
more — 



30 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

But felt his young heart hammering in his ears, 

And thought, "For this half-shadow of a lie 

The truthful King will doom me when I speak." 

Yet pressing on, tho' all in fear to find 

Sir Gawain or Sir Modred, saw nor one 

Nor other, hut in all the listening eyes 

Of those tall knights, that ranged about the 

throne, 
Clear honor shining like the dewy star 
Of dawn, and faith in their great King, with pure 
Affection, and the light of victory. 
And glory gain'd, and evermore to gain. 

Then came a widow crying to the King, 
"A boon, Sir King! Thy father, Uther, reft 
From my dead lord a field with violence : 
For howsoe'er at first he proffer'd gold, 
Yet, for the field was pleasant in our eyes. 
We yielded not ; and then he reft us of it 
Perforce, and left us neither gold nor field." 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 31 

Said Arthur, " Whether would ye ? gold or 
field ? " 
To whom the woman weeping, " ]^ay, my lord. 
The field was pleasant in my husband's eye." 

And Arthur, "Have thy pleasant field again, 
And thrice the gold for Uther's use thereof. 
According to the years. 'So boon is here, 
But justice, so thy say be proven true. 
Accursed, who from the wrongs his father did 
Would shape himself a right!" 

And while she past. 
Came yet another widow crying to him, 
" A boon, Sir King ! Thine enemy. King, am I. 
With thine own hand thou slewest my dear lord, 
A knight of Uther in the Barons' war. 
When Lot and many another rose and fought 
Against thee, saying thou wert basely born. 
I held with these, and loathe to ask thee aught. 



32 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Yet lo ! my husband's brother had my son 
Thrall'd in his castle, and hath starved him dead ; 
And standeth seized of that inheritance 
Which thou that slewest the sire hast left the son. 
So tho' I scarce can ask it thee for hate, 
Grant me some knight to do the battle for me. 
Kill the foul thief, and wreak me for my son." 

Then strode a good knight forward, crying to 
him, 
" A boon. Sir King ! I am her kinsman, I. 
Give me to right her wrong, and slay the man." 

Then came Sir Kay, the seneschal, and cried, 
" A boon. Sir King ! ev'n that thou grant her none. 
This railer, that hath mock'd thee in full hall — 
!N"one ; or the wholesome boon of gyve and gag." 

But Arthur, "We sit. King, to help the wrong'd 
Thro' all our realm. The woman loves her lord. 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 3^ 

Peace to tliee, woman, with thy loves and hates ! 
The kings of old had doom'd thee to the flames, 
Aurelius Emrys would have scourged thee dead, 
And Uther slit thy tongue : hut get thee hence — 
Lest that rough humor of the kings of old 
Eeturn upon me ! Thou that art her kin, 
Go likewise ; lay him low and slay him not, 
But bring him here, that I may judge the right, 
According to the justice of the King : 
Then, be he guilty, by that deathless King 
Who lived and died for men, the man shall die." 

Then came in hall the messenger of Mark, 
A name of evil savor in the land, 
The Cornish king. In either hand he bore 
What dazzled all, and slione far-off as shines 
A field of charlock in the sudden sun 
Between two showers, a cloth of palest gold, 
Which down he laid before the throne, and knelt, 
Delivering, that his Lord, the vassal king, 



34 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Was ev'n upon his way to Camelot ; 
For having heard that Arthur of his grace 
Had made his goodly cousin, Tristram, knight, 
And, for himself was of the greater state, 
BeinG^ a kinoj, he trusted his liee^e-lord 
Would yield him this large honor all the more ; 
So pray'd him well to accept this cloth of gold, 
In token of true heart and fealty. 

Then Arthur cried to rend the cloth, to rend 
In pieces, and so cast it on the hearth. 
An oak-tree smoulder'd there. "The goodly knight! 
What ! shall the shield of Mark stand among 

these ? " 
For, midway down the side of that long hall 
A stately pile, — whereof along the front, 
Some blazon'd, some but carven, and some blank. 
There ran a treble range of stony shields, — 
Eose, and high-arching overbrow'd the hearth. 
And under every shield a knight was named : 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 35 

For this was Arthur's custom in his hall ; 
When some good knight had done one noble deed, 
His arms were carven only ; but if twain 
His arms were blazon'd also ; but if none 
The shield was blank and bare without a sign 
Saving the name beneath ; and Gareth saw 
The shield of Gawain blazon'd rich and bright, 
And Modred's blank as death ; and Arthur cried 
To rend the cloth and cast it on the hearth. 

"More like are we to reave him of his crown 
Than make him knight because men call him king. 
The kings we found, ye know we stay'd their 

hands 
Prom war among themselves, but left them kings ; 
Of whom were any bounteous, merciful, 
Truth-speaking, brave, good livers, them we enroU'd 
Among us, and they sit within our hall. 
But Mark hath tarnish'd the great name of king. 
As Mark would sully the low state of churl : 



36 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

And, seeing lie liatli sent ns clotli of gold, 
Eeturn, and meet, and hold him from our eyes. 
Lest we should lap him up in cloth, of lead. 
Silenced forever — craven — a man of plots, 
Craft, poisonous counsels, wayside ambushings — 
^0 fault of thine : let Kay, the seneschal. 
Look to thy wants, and send thee satisfied — 
Accursed, who strikes nor lets the hand be seen ! " 

And many another suppliant crying came 
With noise of ravage wrought by beast and man, 
And evermore a knight would ride away. • 

Last Gareth leaning both hands heavily 
Down on the shoulders of the twain, his men. 
Approach' d between them toward the King, and 

ask'd, 
"A boon, Sir King (his voice was all ashamed), 
For see ye not how weak and hungerworn 
I seem — leaning on these ? grant me to serve 



GABETH AND LYNETTE. 37 

Tor meat and drink among thy kitchen-knaves 
A twelvemonth and a day, nor seek my name. 
Hereafter I will fight." 



To him the King, 
"A goodly youth and worth a goodlier Loon! 
But an thou v/ilt no goodlier, then must Kay, 
The master of the meats and drinks be thine." 



He rose and past ; then Kay, a man of mien 
Wan-sallow as the plant that feels itseK 
Eoot-bitten by white lichen, 

"Lo ye now! 
This fellow hath broken from some Abbey, where, 
God wot, he had not beef and brewis enow, 
However that might chance ! but an he work. 
Like any pigeon will I cram his crop. 
And sleeker shall he shine than any hog." 



38 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Then Lancelot standing near, "Sir Seneschal, 
Sleuth-hound thou knowest, and gray, and all the 

hounds ; 
A horse thou knowest, a man thou dost not know : 
Broad brows and fair, a fluent hair and fine, 
High nose, a nostril large and fine, and hands 
Large, fair and fine ! — Some young lad's mystery — 
But, or from sheepcot or king's hall, the boy 
Is noble-natured. Treat him with all grace, 
Lest he should come to shame thy judging of 

him." 

Then Kay, " What murmurest thou of mystery ? 
Think ye this fellow will poison the King's dish? 
Nay, for he spake too fool-like: mystery! 
Tut, an the lad were noble, he had ask'd 
For horse and armor : fair and fine, forsooth ! 
Sir Fine-face, Sir Fair-hands ? but see thou to it 
That thine own fineness, Lancelot, some fine day 
Undo thee not — and leave my man to me." 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 39 

So Gareth all for glory underwent 
The sooty yoke of kitchen vassalage ; 
Ate with young lads his portion by the door, 
And couch'd at night with grimy kitchen-knaves. 
And Lancelot ever spake him pleasantly, 
But Kay the seneschal who loved him not 
Would hustle and harry him, and labor him 
Beyond his comrade of the hearth, and set 
To turn the broach, draw water, or hew wood. 
Or grosser tasks ; and Gareth bow'd himself 
With all obedience to the King, and wrought 
All kind of service with a noble ease 
That graced the lowliest act in doing it. 
And when the thralls had talk among themselves, 
And one would praise the love that linkt the King 
And Lancelot — how the King had saved his life 
In battle twice, and Lancelot once the King's — 
For Lancelot was the first in Tournament, 
But Arthur mightiest on the battle-field — 
Gareth was glad. Or if some other told. 



40 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

How once the wandering forester at dawn, 

Far over the blue tarns and hazy seas. 

On Caer-Eryri's highest found the King, 

A naked babe, of whom the Prophet spake, 

" He passes to the Isle Avilion, 

He passes and is heal'd and cannot die " — 

Gareth was glad. But if their talk were foul, 

Then would he whistle rapid as any lark. 

Or carol some old roundelay, and so loud 

That first they mock'd, but, after, reverenced him. 

Or Gareth telling some prodigious tale 

Of knights, who sliced a red life-bubbling way 

Thro' twenty folds of twisted dragon, held 

All in a gap-mouth' d circle his good mates 

Lying or sitting round him, idle hands, 

Charm'd ; till Sir Kay, the seneschal, would come 

Blustering upon them, like a sudden wind • 

Among dead leaves, and drive them all apart. 

Or when the thralls had sport among themselves, 

So there were any trial of mastery. 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 41 

He, by two yards in casting bar or stone 

Was counted best ; and if there chanced a joust. 

So that Sir Kay nodded him leave to go, 

Would hurry thither, and when he saw the knights 

Clash like the coming and retiring wave, 

And the spear spring, and good horse reel, the 

boy 
Was half beyond himself for ecstasy. 

So for a month he -^Tought among the thralls ; 
But in the weeks that follow'd, the good Queen, 
Kepentant of the word she made him swear. 
And saddening in her childless castle, sent. 
Between the increscent and decrescent moon. 
Arms for her son, and loosed him from his vow. 

This, Gareth hearing from a squire of Lot 
With whom he used to play at tourney once. 
When both were children, and in lonely haunts 
Would scratch a ragged oval on the sand^ 



42 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

And eacli at either dash from either end — 
Shame never made girl redder than Gareth joy. 
He laugh'd ; he sprang. " Out of the smoke, at 

once 
I leap from Satan's foot to Peter's knee — 
These news be mine, none other's — nay, the King's — 
Descend into the city " : whereon he sought 
The King alone, and found, and told him all. 

"I have stagger'd thy strong Gawain in a tilt 
For pastime ; yea, he said it : joust can I. 
Make me thy knight — in secret ! let my name 
Be hidd'n, and give me the first quest, I spring 
Like flame from ashes." 

Here the King's calm eye 
Fell on, and check' d, and made him flush, and bow 
Lowly, to kiss his hand, who answer'd him, 
" Son, the good mother let me know thee here. 
And sent her wish that I would yield thee thine. 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 43 

Make tliee my knight ? my knights are sworn to vows 
Of litter hardihood, utter gentleness. 
And, loving, utter faithfulness in love, 
And uttermost obedience to the King." 

Then Gareth, lightly springing from his knees, 
" My King, for hardihood I can promise thee. 
For uttermost obedience make demand 
Of whom ye gave me to, the Seneschal, 
No mellow master of the meats and drinks ! 
And as for love, God wot, I love not yet, 
But love I shall, God willing." 

And the King — 
" Make thee my knight in secret ? yea, but he. 
Our noblest brother, and our truest man. 
And one with me in all, he needs must know." 

" Let Lancelot know, my King, let Lancelot know, 
Thy noblest and thy truest!" 



44 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 



And the King — 



"But wherefore would ye men should wonder at 

you? 
Nay, rather for the sake of me, their King, 
And the deed's sake my knighthood do the deed, 
Than to be noised of." 

Merrily Gareth ask'd, 
" Have I not earn'd my cake in baking of it ? 
Let be my name until I make my name ! 
My deeds will speak: it is but for a day." 
So with a kindly hand on Gareth' s arm 
Smiled the great King, and half-unwillingly 
Loving his lusty youthhood yielded to him. 
Then, after summoning Lancelot privily, 
" I have given him the first quest : he is not proven. 
Look therefore when he calls for this in hall. 
Thou get to horse and follow him far away. 
Cover the lions on thy shield, and see 
Par as thou mayest, he be nor ta'en nor slain." 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 45 

Then that same day there past into the hall 
A damsel of hio'h lineac^e, and a brow 
May-blossom, and a cheek of apple-blossom. 
Hawk-eyes ; and lightly was her slender nose 
Tip-tilted like the petal of a flower ; 
She into hall past with her page and cried, 

King, for thou hast driven the foe without, 
See to the foe within ! bridge, ford, beset 
By bandits, every one that owns a tower 
The Lord for half a league. Why sit ye there ? 
Eest would I not. Sir King, an I were king, 
Till ev'n the lonest hold were all as free 
From cursed bloodshed, as thine altar-cloth 
From that blest blood it is a sin to spill." 



" Comfort thyself," said Arthur, " I nor mine 
Eest : so my knighthood keep the vows they swore. 
The wastest moorland of our realm shall be 



46 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Safe, damsel, as the centre of this hall. 
What is thy name? thy need?" 

" My name ? " she said — 
" Lynette my name ; noble ; my need, a knight 
To combat for my sister, Lyonors, 
A lady of high lineage, of great lands. 
And comely, yea, and comelier than myself. 
She lives in Castle Perilous : a river 
Euns in three loops about her living-place; 
And o'er it are tliree passings, and three knights 
Defend the passings, brethren, and a fourth 
And of that four the mightiest, holds her stay'd 
In her own castle and so besieges her 
To break her will, and make her wed with 

him: 
And but delays his purport till thou send 
To do the battle w^ith him, thy chief man 
Sir Lancelot whom he trusts to overthrow. 
Then wed, with glory ; but she will not wed 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 47 

Save whom she loveth, or a holy life. 
Now therefore have I come for Lancelot.". 

Then Arthur mindful of Sir Gareth ask'd, 
"Damsel, ye know this Order lives to crush 
All wTongers of the Realm. But say, these four, 
Who be they ? What the fashion of the men ? " 

"They be of foolish fashion, Sir King, 
The fashion of that old knight-errantry 
Who ride abroad and do but what they will ; 
Courteous or bestial from the moment, 
Such as have nor law nor king ; and three of these 
Proud in their fantasy call themselves the Day, 
Morning-Star, and Noon-Sun, and Evening-Star, 
Being strong fools ; and never a whit more wise 
The fourth, who alway rideth arm'd in black, 
A huge man-beast of boundless savagery. 
He names himself the Night and oftener Death, 
And wears a helmet mounted with a skull 



48 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

And bears a skeleton figured on Ms arms, 
To show that who may slay or scape the three 
Slain by himself shall enter endless night. 
And all these four be fools, but mighty men. 
And therefore am I come for Lancelot." 

Hereat Sir Gareth call'd from where he rose, 
A head with kindling eyes above the throng, 
" A boon, Sir King — this quest ! " then — for he 

mark'd 
Kay near him groaning like a wounded bull — 
"Yea, King, thou knowest thy kitchen-knave am I, 
And mighty thro' thy meats and drinks am I, 
And I can topple over a hundred such. 
Thy promise. King," and Arthur glancing at him, 
Brought down a momentary brow. " Eough, sudden. 
And pardonable, worthy to be knight — 
Go therefore," and all hearers were amazed. 

But on the damsel's forehead shame, pride, wrath. 



GARETII AND LYNETTE. 49 

Slew the May-white : she lifted either arm, 
" Fie on thee, King ! I ask'd for thy chief knight. 
And thou hast given me but a kitchen-knave." 
Then ere a man in hall could stay her, turn'd, 
ried down the lane of access to the King, 
Took horse, descended the slope street, and past 
The weird white gate, and paused without, beside 
The field of tourney, murmuring "kitchen-knave." 

ISTow two great entries open'd from the hall, 
At one end one, that gave upon a range 
Of level pavement where the King would pace 
At sunrise, gazing over plain and wood. 
And down from this a lordly stairway sloped 
Till lost in blowing trees and tops of towers. 
And out by this main doorway past the King. 
But one was counter to the hearth, and rose 
High that the highest-crested helm could ride 
Therethro' nor graze : and by this entry fled 
The damsel in her wrath, and on to this 



50 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Sir Garetli strode, and saw without the door 
King Arthur's gift, the worth of half a town, 
A warhorse of the best, and near it stood 
The two that out of north had foUow'd him : 
This bare a maiden shield, a casque ; that held 
The horse, the spear ; whereat Sir Gareth loosed 
A cloak that dropt from collar-bone to heel, 
A cloth of roughest web, and cast it down, 
And from it like a fuel-smother'd fire, 
That lookt half-dead, brake bright, and flash'd as 

those 
Dull-coated things, that making slide apart 
Their dusk wing-cases, all beneath there burns 
A jewel'd harness, ere they pass and fly. 
So Gareth ere he parted flash'd in arms. 
Then while he donn'd the helm, and took the 

shield 
And mounted horse and graspt a spear, of grain 
Storm-strengthen'd on a windy site, and tipt 
With trenchant steel, around him slowly prest 



G ARE Til AND LYNETTE. 



51 



The people, and from out of kitchen came 
The thralls in throng, and seeing who had work'd 
Lustier than any, and wliom they could but love. 
Mounted in arms, threw up their caj)S and cried, 
" God bless the King, and all his fellowship 1 " 









•- „ J^i^ fWJ3\f^-J 




And on thro' lanes of shouting Gareth rode 
Down the slope street, and past without the gate. 



So Gareth past with joy ; but as the cur 
Pluckt from the cur he %hts with, ere his cause 



52 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Be cool'd by fighting, follows, being named, 
His owner, but remembers all, and growls 
Eemembering, so Sir Kay beside the door 
Mutter'd in scorn of Gareth whom he used 
To harry and hustle. 

"Bound upon a quest 
With horse and arms — the King hath past his 

time — 
My scullion knave ! Thralls to your work again. 
For an your fire be low ye kindle mine ! 
Will there be dawn in West and eve in East? 
Begone ! — my knave ! — belike and like enow 
Some old head-blow not heeded in his youth 
So shook his wits they wander in his prime — 
Crazed ! How the villain lifted up his voice, 
ISTor shamed to bawl himself a kitchen-knave. 
Tut : he was tame and meek enow with me. 
Till peacock'd up with Lancelot's noticing. 
Well — I will after my loud knave, and learn 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 53 

AVhether he know me for his master yet. 
Out of the smoke he came, and so my lance 
Hold, by God's grace, he shall into the mire — 
Thence, if the King awaken from his craze, 
Into the smoke again." 

But Lancelot said, 
"Kay, wherefore will ye go against the King, 
For that did never he whereon ye rail. 
But ever meekly served the King in thee ? 
Abide : take counsel ; for this lad is great 
And lusty, and knowing both of lance and sword." 
" Tut, tell not me," said Kay, " ye are overfine 
To mar stout knaves with foolish courtesies." 
Then mounted, on thro' silent faces rode 
Down the slope city, and out beyond the gate. 

But by the field of tourney lingering yet 
Mutter'd the damsel, "Wherefore did the King 
Scorn me ? for, were Sir Lancelot lackt, at least 



54 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

He might have yielded to me one of those 
Who tilt for lady's love and glory here, 
Eather than — sweet heaven ! O fie upon him — 
His kitchen-knave." 

To whom Sir Gareth drew 
(And there were none but few goodlier than he) 
Shining in arms, "Damsel, the quest is mine. 
Lead, and I follow." She thereat, as one 
That smells a foul-flesh'd agaric in the holt. 
And deems it carrion of some woodland thing, 
Or shrew, or weasel, nipt her slender nose 
With petulant thumb and finger shrilling, " Hence ! 
Avoid, thou smellest all of kitchen-grease. 
And look who comes behind," for there was Kay. 
" Knowest thou not me ? thy master ? I am Kay. 
We lack thee by the hearth." 

And Gareth to him, 
" Master no more ! too well I know thee, ay — 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 55 

The most uni^^entle ktii^ht in Arthur's hall." 

" Have at thee then," said Kay : they shock'd, and 

Kay 
Fell shoulder-slipt, and Garetli cried again, 
" Lead, and I follow," and fast away she fled. 

But after sod and shingle ceased to fly 
Behind her, and the heart of her good horse 
Was nigh to burst with violence of the beat. 
Perforce she stay'd, and overtaken spoke. 

" What doest thou, scullion, in my fellowship ? 
Deem'st thou that I accept thee aught the more 
Or love thee better, that by some device 
Full cowardly, or by mere unhappiness. 
Thou hast overthrown and slain thy master — thou ! — 
Dish-washer and broach-turner, loon ! — to me 
Thou smellest all of kitchen as before." 

"Damsel," Sir Gareth answer'd gently, "say 



56 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Wliate'er ye will, but -whatsoe'er ye say, 
I leave not till I finish this fair quest. 
Or die therefor." 

" Ay, wilt thou finish it ? 
Sweet lord, how like a noble knight he talks! 
The listening rogue hath caught the manner of it. 
But, knave, anon thou shalt be met with, knave, 
And then by such a one that thou for all 
The kitchen brewis that was ever supt 
Shalt not once dare to look him in the face." 

" I shall assay," said Gareth with a smile 
That madden'd her, and away she flash'd again 
Down the long avenues of a boundless wood. 
And Gareth following was again beknaved. 

" Sir Kitchen-knave, I have miss'd the only way 
Where Arthur's men are set along the wood; 
The wood is nigh as full of thieves as leaves : 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 57 

If both be slain, I am rid of thee ; but yet, 
Sir Scullion, canst thou use that spit of thine ? 
Fight, an thou canst : I have miss'd the only way." 

So till the dusk that foUow'd evensong 
Eode on the two, reviler and reviled : 
Then after one long slope was mounted, saw, 
Bowl-shaped, thro' tops of many thousand pines 
A gloomy-gladed hollow slowly sink 
To westward — in the deeps whereof a mere, 
Eound as the red eye of an Eagle-owl, 
Under the half-dead sunset glared; and cries 
Ascended, and there brake a servingman 
Flying from out of the black wood, and crying, 
" They have bound my lord to cast him in the mere." 
Then Gareth, " Bound am I to right the wrong'd, 
But straitlier bound am I to bide with thee." 
And when the damsel spake contemptuously, 
" Lead and I follow," Gareth cried again, 
" Follow, I lead I " so down among the pines 



58 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

He plunged ; and there, blacksliadow'd nigh the 

mere, 
And mid-thigh-deep in bulrushes and reed. 
Saw six tall men haling a seventh along, 
A stone about his neck to drown him in it. 
Three with good blows he quieted, but three 
Fled thro' the pines ; and Gareth loosed the stone 
From off his neck, then in the mere beside 
Tumbled it; oilily bubbled up the mere. 
Last, Gareth loosed his bonds and on free feet 
Set him, a stalwart Baron, Arthur's friend. 

" AVell that ye came, or else these caitiff rogues 
Had wreak'd themselves on me ; good cause is 

theirs 
To hate me, for my wont hath ever been 
To catch my thief, and then like vermin here 
Drown him, and with a stone about his neck ; 
And under this wan water many of them 
Lie rotting, but at night let go the stone. 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 59 

And rise, and flickering in a grimly light 

Dance on the mere. Good now, ye have saved a 

life 
Worth somewhat as the cleanser of this wood. 
And fain would I reward thee worshipfally. 
What guerdon will ye ? " 

Gareth sharply spake, 
" None ! for the deed's sake have I done the 

deed, 
In uttermost obedience to the King. 
But will ye yield this damsel harborage ? '* 

Whereat the Baron saying, "I w^ell believe 
Ye be of Arthur's Table," a light laugh 
Broke from Lynette, "Ay, truly of a truth, 
And in a sort, being Arthur's kitchen-knave ! — 
But deem not I accept thee aught the more, 
Scullion, for running sharply with thy spit 
Down on a rout of craven foresters. 



60 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

A thresher with his flail had scatter' d them. 
IN'ay — for thou smellest of the kitchen still. 
But an this lord will yield us harborage, 
Well." 

So she spake. A league beyond the wood, 
All in a full-fair manor and a rich, 
His towers where that day a feast had been 
Held in high hall, and many a viand left, 
And many a costly cate, received the three. 
And there they placed a peacock in his pride 
Before the damsel, and the Baron set 
Gareth beside her, but at once she rose. 

"Meseems, that here is much discourtesy. 
Setting this knave. Lord Baron, at my side. 
Hear me — this morn I stood in Arthur's hall. 
And pray'd the King would grant me Lancelot 
To fight the brotherhood of Day and [Night — 
The last a monster unsubduable 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 61 

Of any save of liim for whom I call'd — 
Suddenly bawls this frontless kitchen-knave, 
'The quest is mine; thy kitchen-knave am I, 
And mighty thro' thy meats and drinks am I.' 
Then Arthur all at once gone mad replies, 
'Go therefore/ and so gives the quest to him — 
Him — here — a villain fitter to stick swine 
Than ride abroad redressing women's wrong. 
Or sit beside a noble gentlewoman." 

Then half-ashamed and part-amazed, the lord 
Now look'd at one and now at other, left 
The damsel by the peacock in his pride. 
And, seating Gareth at another board. 
Sat down beside him, ate and then began. 

"Friend, whether ye be kitchen-knave, or not. 
Or whether it be the maiden's fantasy. 
And whether she be mad, or else the King, 
Or both or neither, or thyself be mad. 



(32 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

I ask nou : but thou strikest a strong stroke, 
For strong thou art and goodly therewithal, 
And saver of my Ine ; and therefore now, 
For here be mighty men to joust with, weigh 
Whether thou wilt not with thy damsel back 
To crave again Sir Lancelot of the King. 
Thy pardon; I but speak for thine avail, 
The saver of my life." 

And Gareth said, 
"Full pardon, but I follow up the quest. 
Despite of Day and ISTight and Death and 
HeU." 

So when, next morn, the lord whose life he 

saved 
Had, some brief space, convey'd them on their 

way 
And left them with God-speed, Sir Gareth spake, 
"Lead and I follow." Haughtily she replied. 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 63 

" I fly no more : I allow thee for an Lour. 
Lion and stoat have isled toQ;ether, knave, 
Tn time of flood. Nav, furthermore, methinks 
Some ruth is mine for thee. Back wilt thou, 

fool? 
For liard by here is one will overthrow 
And slay thee: then will I to court again, 
And shame the King for only yielding me 
My champion from the ashes of his hearth." 

To whom Sir Gareth answer'd courteously, 
" Say thou thy say, and I will do my deed. 
Allow me for mine hour, and thou wilt find 
My fortunes all as fair as hers, who lay 
Among the ashes and wedded the King's son." 

Then to the shore of one of those long loops 
Wherethro' the serpent river coil'd, they came. 
Eough-thicketed were the banks and steep; the 
stream 



54 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Full, narrow; this a bridge of single arc 

Took at a leap; and on the further side 

Arose a silk pavilion, gay with gold 

In streaks and rays, and all Lent-lily in hue. 

Save that the dome was purple, and above, 

Crimson, a slender banneret fluttering. 

And therebefore the lawless warrior paced 

Unarm' d, and calling, "Damsel, is this he, 

The champion ye have brought from Arthur's 

hall ? 
For whom we let thee pass." "Nay, nay," she 

said, 
"Sir Morning-Star. The King in utter scorn 
Of thee and thy much folly hath sent thee here 
His kitchen -knave : and look thou to thyself : 
See that he fall not on thee suddenly. 
And slay thee unarm'd : he is not knight but 

knave." 

Then at his call, "0 daughters of the Dawn, 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 65 

And servants of the Morning-Star, approach, 

Arm me," from out the silken curtain-folds 

Barefooted and bareheaded three fair girls 

In gilt and rosy raiment came: their feet 

In dewy grasses glisten'd; and the hair 

All over glanced with dewdrop or with gem 

Like sparkles in the stone Avanturine. 

These arm'd him in blue arms, and gave a 

shield 
Blue also, and thereon the morning star. 
And Gareth silent gazed upon the knight, 
Who stood a moment, ere his horse was brought, 
Glorying; and in the stream beneath him, shone, 
Immingled with Heaven's azure w^averingly, 
The gay pavilion and the naked feet. 
His arms, the rosy raiment, and the star. 

Then she that watch'd him, "AVherefore stare 
ye so? 
Thou shakest in thy fear: there yet is time: 



66 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Flee down the valley before he get to horse. 
Who will cry shame? Thou art not knight but 
knave." 

Said Gareth, "Damsel, whether knave or knight, 
Far liever had I fight a score of times 
Than hear thee so niissay me and revile. 
Fair words were best for him who fights for thee; 
But truly foul are better, for they send 
That strength of anger thro' mine arms, I know 
That I shall overthrow him." 

And he that bore 
The star, being mounted, cried from o'er the bridge, 
" A kitchen-knave, and sent in scorn of me ! 
Such fio-ht not 1, but answer scorn with scorn. 
For this were shame to do him further WTong 
Than set him on his feet, and take his horse 
And arms, and so return him to the King. 
Come, therefore, leave thy lady lightly, knave. 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 67 

Avoid : for it beseemetli not a knave 
To ride with such a lady." 

"Dog, thou liest. 
I spring from loftier lineage than thine own." 
He spake ; and all at fiery speed the two 
Shock'd on the central bridge, and either spear 
Bent but not brake, and either knight at once, 
Hurl'd as a stone from out of a catapult 
Beyond his horse's crupper and the bridge, 
Fell, as if dead ; but quickly rose and drew, 
And Gareth lash'd so fiercely with his brand 
He drave his enemy backward down the bridge. 
The damsel crying, " Well-stricken, kitchen-knave ! " 
Till Gareth's shield was cloven ; but one stroke 
Laid him that clove it grovelling on the ground. 

Then cried the fall'n, " Take not my life : I 
yield." 
And Gareth, " So this damsel ask it of me 



68 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Good — I accord it easily as a grace." 

She reddening, " Insolent scullion : I of thee ? 

I bound to thee for any favor ask'd ! " 

"Then shall he die." And Gareth there unlaced 

His helmet as to slay him, but she shriek'd, 

" Be not so hardy, scullion, as to slay 

One nobler than thyself." "Damsel, thy charge 

Is an abounding pleasure to me. Knight, 

Thy life is thine at her command. Arise 

And quickly pass to Arthur's hall, and say 

His kitchen-knave hath sent thee. See thou crave 

His pardon for thy breaking of his laws. 

Myself, when I return, will plead for thee. 

Thy shield is mine — farewell ; and, damsel, thou 

Lead, and I follow." 

And fast away she fled. 
Then when he came upon her, spake, "Methought, 
Knave, when I watch'd thee striking on the bridge 
The savor of thy kitchen came upon me 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. gg 

A little faintlier: but the wind hath changed: 
I scent it twentyfold." And then she sang, 
" ' morning star ' (not that tall felon there 
Whom thou by sorcery or unhappiness 
Or some device, hast foully overthrown), 
' morning star that smilest in the blue, 
star, my morning dream hath proven true, 
Smile sweetly, thou! my love hath smiled on me.' 

"But thou begone, take counsel, and away, 
For hard by here is one that guards a ford — 
The second brother in their fool's parable — 
"Will pay thee all thy wages, and to boot. 
Care not for shame : thou art not knight but 
knave." 

To whom Sir Gareth answer'd, laughingly, 
" Parables ? Hear a parable of the knave. 
When I was kitchen-knave among the rest 
Fierce was the hearth, and one of my co-mates 



70 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Own'd a rough dog, to whom he cast his coat, 
'Guard it,' and there was none to meddle with it. 
And such a coat art thou, and thee the King 
Gave me to guard, and such a dog am I, 
To worry, and not to flee — and — knight or knave — 
The knave that doth thee service as full knight 
Is all as good, meseems, as any knight 
Toward thy sister's freeing." 

" Ay, Sir Knave ! 
Ay, knave, because thou strikest as a knight, 
Beiner but knave, I hate thee all the more." 

''Fair damsel, ye should worship me the more, 
That, being but knave, I throw thine enemies." 

"Ay, ay," she said, "but thou shalt meet thy 
match." 

So when they touch'd the second river-loop, 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 71 

Huge on a huge reel horse, and all in mail 
Burnish' d to blinding, shone the Noonday Sun 
Beyond a raging shallow. As if the flower, 
That blows a globe of after arrowlets. 
Ten thousand-fold had grown, flash'd the fierce 

shield, 
All sun ; and Gareth's eyes had flying blots 
Before them when he turn'd from watching him. 
He from beyond the roaring shallow roar'd, 
" What doest thou, brother, in my marches here ? " 
And she athwart the shallow shrill'd again, 
'' Here is a kitchen-knave from Arthur's hall 
Hath overthrown thy brother, and hath his arms." 
" Ugh ! " cried the Sun, and vizoring up a red 
And cipher face of rounded foolishness, 
Push'd horse across the foamings of the ford. 
Whom Gareth met midstream : no room was there 
For lance or tourney- skill : four strokes they struck 
With sword, and these were mighty ; the new 

knight 



72 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Had fear he miglit be shamed ; but as the Sun 
Heaved up a ponderous arm to strike the fifth, 
The hoof of his horse slipt in the stream, the 

stream 
Descended, and the Sun was wash'd away. 

Then Gareth laid his lance athwart the ford ; 
So drew him home ; but he that would not 

fight. 
As being all bone-battered on the rock, 
Yielded ; and Gareth sent him to the King. 
"Myself when I return will plead for thee. 
Lead, and I follow." Quietly she led. 
" Hath not the good wind, damsel, changed again ? " 
" ISTay, not a point : nor art thou victor here. 
There lies a ridge of slate across the ford; 
His horse thereon stumbled — ay, for I saw it. 

" * Sun ' (not this strong fool whom thou, Sir 
Knave, 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 73 

Hast overthrown thro' mere imhappiness), 

'0 Sim, that wakenest all to bliss or pain, 

O moon, that layest all to sleep again. 

Shine sweetly : twice my love hath smiled on me.' 

" What knowest thou of lovesong or of love ? 
Nay, nay, God wot, so thou wert nobly born. 
Thou hast a pleasant presence. Yea, perchance, 



" ' dewy flowers that open to the sun, 
dewy flowers that close when day is done, 
Blow sweetly : twice my love hath smiled on me.' 

"What knowest thou of flowers, except, belike. 
To garnish meats with ? hath not our good King 
Who lent me thee, the flower of kitchendom, 
A foolish love for flowers ? what stick ye round 
The pasty ? wherewithal deck the boar's head ? 
Flowers ? nay, the boar hath rosemaries and 
bay. 



74 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

" ' O birds, that warble to tlie morning sky, 
birds that warble as the day goes by, 
Sing sweetly: twice my love hath smiled on me.' 

"What knowest thou of birds, lark, mavis, merle, 
Linnet ? what dream ye when they utter forth 
May-music growing with the growing light, 
Their sweet sun-worship ? these be for the snare 
(So runs thy fancy) these be for the spit. 
Larding and basting. See thou have not now 
Larded thy last, except thou turn and fly. 
There stands the third fool of their allegory." 

For there beyond a bridge of treble bow. 
All in a rose -red from the west, and all 
Naked it seem'd, and glowing in the broad 
Deep-dimpled current underneath, the knight. 
That named himself the Star of Evening, stood. 

And Gareth, "Wherefore waits the madman there 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 75 

Naked in open daysliine ? " " Nay/' she cried, 
" Not naked, only wrapt in harden'd skins 
That fit him like his own ; and so ye cleave 
His armor off him, these will turn the blade." 

Then the third brother shouted o'er the bridge, 
" brother-star, why shine ye here so low ? 
Thy ward is higher up : but have ye slain 
The damsel's champion ? " and the damsel cried, 

"No star of thine, but shot from Arthur's 
heaven 
With all disaster unto thine and thee I 
For both thy younger brethren have gone down 
Before this youth; and so wilt thou, Sir Star; 
Art thou not old ? " 

"Old, damsel, old and hard. 
Old, with the might and breath of twenty boys." 
Said Gareth, "Old, and over-bold in brag! 



76 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

But that same strength which threw the Morning- 
Star 
Can throw the Evening." 

Then that other blew 
A hard and deadly note upon the horn. 
"Approach and arm me !" With slow steps from out 
An old storm-beaten, russet, many-stain'd 
Pavilion, forth a grizzled damsel came, 
And arm'd him in old arms, and brought a helm 
With but a drying evergreen for crest. 
And gave a shield whereon the Star of Even 
Half-tamish'd and half-bright, his emblem, shone. 
But when it giitter'd o'er the saddle-bow, 
They madly hurl'd together on the bridge. 
And Gareth overthrew him, lighted, drew, 
There met him drawn, and overthrew him again, 
But up like fire he started : and as oft 
As Gareth brought him grovelling on his knees. 
So many a time he vaulted up again; 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 77 

Till Gareth panted hard, and his great heart, 

Foredooming all his trouble was in vain, 

Labor'd within him, for he seem'd as one 

That all in later, sadder age begins 

To war against ill uses of a life, 

But these from all his life arise, and cry, 

"Thou hast made us lords, and canst not put us 

down ! " 
He half despairs ; so Gareth seem'd to strike 
Vainly, the damsel clamoring all the while, 
"Well done, knave-knight, well-stricken, good 

knight-knave — 
knave, as noble as any of all the knights — 
Shame me not, shame me not. I have prophesied — 
Strike, thou art worthy of the Table Kound — 
His arms are old, he trusts the harden'd skin — 
Strike — strike — the wind will never change again." 
And Gareth hearing ever stronglier smote. 
And hew'd great pieces of his armor off him. 
But lash'd in vain against the harden'd skin. 



78 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

And could not wholly bring him under, more 
Than loud Southwestems, rolling ridge on ridge, 
The buoy that rides at sea, and dips and springs 
Forever ; till at length Sir Gareth's brand 
Clash'd his, and brake it utterly to the hilt. 
" I have thee now " ; but forth that other sprang, 
And, all unknightlike, writhed his wiry arms 
Around him, till he felt, despite his mail, 
Strangled, but straining ev'n his uttermost 
Cast, and so hurl'd him headlong o'er the bridge 
Down to the river, sink or swim, and cried, 
"Lead, and I follow." 

But the damsel said, 
" I lead no longer ; ride thou at my side ; 
Thou art the kingliest of all kitchen-knaves. 

"'0 trefoil, sparkling on the rainy plain, 
rainbow with three colors after rain. 
Shine sweetly : thrice my love hath smiled on me.' 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 79 

" Sir, — and, good faith, I fain had added — Knight, 
But that I heard thee call thyself a knave, — . 
Shamed am I that I so rebuked, reviled, 
Missaid thee; noble I am; and thought the King 
Scorn d me and mine ; and now thy pardon, friend, 
For thou hast ever answer'd courteously, 
And wholly bold thou art, and meek withal 
As any of Arthur's best, but, being knave. 
Hast mazed my wit : I marvel what thou art." 

"Damsel," he said, "ye be not all to blame. 
Saving that ye mistrusted our good King 
"Would handle scorn, or yield thee, asking, one 
Not fit to cope thy quest. Ye said your say; 
Mine answer was my deed. Good sooth ! I hold 
He scarce is knight, yea but half-man, nor meet 
To fight for gentle damsel, he, who lets 
His heart be stirr'd with any foolish heat 
At any gentle damsel's waywardness. 
Shamed ? care not ! thy foul sayings fought for me : 



80 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

And seeing now thy words are fair, metliinks, 
There rides no knight, not Lancelot, his great self, 
Hath force to quell me." i 

IN'igh upon that hour 
When the lone hern forgets his melancholy. 
Lets down his other lee^, and stretching^ dreams 
Of goodly supper in the distant pool, 
Then turn'd the noble damsel smiling at him. 
And told him of a cavern hard at hand, 
"Where bread and baken meats and good red wine 
Of Southland, which the Lady Lyonors 
Had sent her coming champion, waited him. 

Anon they past a narrow comb wherein 
Were slabs of rock with figures, knights on horse 
Sculptured, and deckt in slowly waning hues. 
" Sir Knave, my knight, a hermit once was here, 
Whose holy hand hath fashion'd on the rock 
The war of Time against the soul of man. 



GARETII AND LYNETTE. 81 

And yon four fools have suck'd their allegory 

From these damp walls, and taken but the form. 

Know ye not these ? " and Gareth lookt and read — 

In letters like to those the vexillary 

Ilath left crag-carven o'er the streaming Gelt — 

" Phosphorus," then " Meridies " — " Hesperus " — 

" Nox " — "Mors," beneath five figures, armed men. 

Slab after slab, their faces forward all, 

And running down the Soul, a Shape that fled 

With broken wings, torn raiment and loose hair. 

For help and shelter to the hermit's cave. 

" Follow the faces, and we find it. Look, 

Who comes behind ? " 

For one — delay 'd at first 
Thro' helping back the dislocated Kay 
To Caraelot, then by what thereafter chanced. 
The damsel's headlong error thro' the wood — 
Sir Lancelot, having swum the river-loops — 
His blue shield-lions cover'd — softly drew 



82 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Behind the twain, and when he saw the star 
Gleam, on Sir Gareth's turning to him, cried, 
" Stay, felon knight, I avenge me for my friend." 
And Gareth crying prick'd against the cry; 
But when they closed — in a moment — at one touch 
Of that skill'd spear, the wonder of the world — 
Went sliding down so easily, and fell. 
That when he found the grass within his hands 
He laugh'd ; the laughter jarr'd upon Lynette : 
Harshly she ask'd him, "Shamed and overthrown, 
And tumbled back into the kitchen-knave. 
Why laugh ye ? that ye blew your boast in vain ? " 
" Nay, noble damsel, but that I, the son 
Of old King Lot and good Queen Bellicent, 
And victor of the bridges and the ford, 
And knight of Arthur, here lie thrown by whom 
I know not, all thro' mere unhappiness — 
Device and sorcery and unhappiness — 
Out, sword ; we are thrown 1 " and Lancelot an- 
swer' d, " Prince, 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 83 

Gareth — thro' the mere unhappiness 
Of one who came to help thee not to harm, 
Lancelot, and all as glad to find thee whole, 
As on the day when Arthur knighted him." 

Then Gareth, "Thou — Lancelot! — thine the hand 
That threw me ? An some chance to mar the 

boast 
Thy brethren of thee make — which could not 

chance — 
Had sent thee down before a lesser spear 
Shamed had I been and sad — O Lancelot — thou!" 

Whereat the maiden, petulant, "Lancelot, 
"Why came ye not, when call'd ? and wherefore now 
Come ye, not call'd? I gloried in my knave, 
Who being still rebuked, would answer still 
Courteous as any knight — but now, if knight. 
The marvel dies, and leaves me fool'd and trick'd. 
And only wondering wherefore play'd upon: 



84 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

And doubtful whether I and mine be scorn'd. 
"Wliere should be truth if not in Arthur's hall. 
In Arthur's presence ? Knight, knave, prince and 

fool, 
I hate thee and forever." 

And Lancelot said, 
" Blessed be thou. Sir Gareth ! knight art thou 
To the King's best wish. damsel, be ye wise 
To call him shamed, who is but overthrown? 
Thrown have I been, nor once, but many a time. 
Victor from vanquish'd issues at the last. 
And overthrower from being overthrown. 
"With sword we have not striven; and thy good 

horse 
And thou art weary; yet not less I felt 
Thy manhood thro' that wearied lance of thine. 
Well hast thou done; for all the stream is freed, 
And thou hast wreak'd his justice on his foes, 
And wdien reviled, hast answer'd graciously. 




" Sound sleep be thine ! sound cause to sleep hast thou." 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 87 

And makest merry, when overthrown. Prince, 

Knight, 
Hail, Knight arid Prince, and of our Table 

Eound ! " 

And then when turning to Lynette he told 
The tale of Gareth, petulantly she said, 
"Ay well — ay well — for worse than being fool'd 
Of others, is to fool one's self. A cave, 
Sir Lancelot, is hard by, with meats and drinks 
And forage for the horse, and flint for fire. 
But all about it flies a honeysuckle. 
Seek, till we find." And when they sought and 

found, 
Sir Gareth drank and ate, and all his life 
Past into sleep ; on whom the maiden gazed. 
" Sound sleep be thine ! sound cause to sleep hast 

thou. 
Wake lusty ! Seem I not as tender to him 
As any mother ? Ay, but such a one 



88 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

As all day long liatli rated at lier child, 

And vext Ins day, but blesses him asleep — 

Good lord, how sweetly smells the honeysuckle 

In the hush'd night, as if the world were one 

Of utter i:)eace, and love, and gentleness ! 

Lancelot, Lancelot " — and she clapt her hands — 

" Full merry am I to find my goodly knave 

Is knight and noble. See now, sworn liave I, 

Else yon black felon had not let me pass. 

To bring thee back to do the battle with hira. 

Thus an thou goest, he will fight thee first ; 

Who doubts thee victor ? so will my knight-knave 

Miss the full flower of this accomplishment." 

Said Lancelot, " Peradventure he, ye name, 
May know my shield. Let Gareth, an he will, 
Change his for mine, and take my charger, fresh. 
Not to be spurr'd, loving the battle as well 
As he that rides him." "Lancelot-like," she said, 
" Courteous in this, Lord Lancelot, as in alL" 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 89 

And Gareth, wakening, fiercely clutcli'd the 

shield ; 
"Eamp, ye lance-splintering lions, on whom all 

spears 
Are rotten sticks ! ye seem agape to roar ! 
Yea, ramp and roar at leaving of your lord ! — 
Care not, good beasts, so well I care for you. 
O noble Lancelot, from my hold on these 
Streams virtue — fire — thro' one that will not 

shame 
Even the shadow of Lancelot under shield. 
Hence : let us go." 

Silent the silent field 
They traversed. Artliur's harp tho' summer-wan, 
In counter motion to the clouds, allured 
The glance of Gareth dreaming on his liege. 
A star shot : " Lo," said Garetli, " the foe falls ! " 
An owl whoopt : " Hark the victor pealing there ! " 
Suddenly she that rode upon his left 



90 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

Clung to the shield that Lancelot lent him, crying, 
" Yield, yield him this again : 't is he must fight : 
I curse the tongue that all thro' yesterday 
Eeviled thee, and hath wrought on Lancelot now 
To lend thee horse and shield: wonders ye have 

done ; 
Miracles ye cannot : here is glory enow 
In having flung the three : I see thee maim'd, 
Mangled : I swear thou canst not fling the fourth." 

"And wherefore, damsel? tell me all ye know. 
Ye cannot scare me ; nor rough face, or voice, 
Brute bulk of limb, or boundless savagery 
Appall me from the quest." 

" Nay, Prince," she cried, 
" God wot, I never look'd upon the face, 
Seeing he never rides abroad by day ; 
But watch'd him have I like a phantom pass 
Chilling the night : nor have I heard the voice. 
Always he made his mouthpiece of a page 



GARETH AND LYXETTE. 91 

Who came and went, and still reported him 
As closing in himself the strength of ten, 
And when his anger tare him, massacring 
Man, woman, lad and girl — yea, the soft babe — 
Some hold that he hath swallow'd infant flesh. 
Monster! O prince, I went for Lancelot first. 
The quest is Lancelot's : give him back the shield." 



Said Gareth laughing, "An he fight for this, 
Belike he wins it as the better man : 
Thus — and not else ? " 

But Lancelot on him urged 
All the devisings of their chivalry 
Where one might meet a mightier than himself; 
How best to manage horse, lance, sword and shield, 
And so fill up the gap where force might fail 
With, skill and fineness. Instant were his words. 

Then Gareth, " Here be rules. I know but one — 



92 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

To dash against mine enemy and to win. 
Yet have I watch'd thee victor in the joust, 
And seen thy way." " Heaven help thee/' sigh'd 
Lynette. 

Then for a space, and under cloud that grew 
To thunder-gloom palling all stars, they rode 
In converse till slie made her palfrey halt. 
Lifted an arm, and softly whisper'd, "There." 
And all the three were silent seeing, pitch'd 
Beside the Castle Perilous on flat field, 
A huge pavilion like a mountain peak 
Sunder the glooming crimson on the marge, 
Black, with black banner, and a long black horn 
Beside it hanging ; wdiich Sir Gareth graspt, 
And so, before the two could hinder him. 
Sent all his heart and breath thro' all the horn. 
Echo'd the walls ; a light twinkled ; anon 
Came lights and lights, and once again he blew ; 
Whereon were hollow tramplings up and down 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 93 

And muffled voices heard, and shadows past ; 
Till high above him, circled with her maids, 
The Lady Lyonors at a window stood. 
Beautiful among lights, and waving to him 
White hands, and courtesy ; but when the Prince 
Three times had blown — after long hush — at 

last — 
The huge pavilion slowly yielded up, 
Thro' those black foldings, that which housed 

therein. 
High on a nightblack horse, in nightblack arms, 
With white breast-bone, and barren ribs of Death, 
And crown'd with fieshless laughter — some ten 

steps — 
In the half-light — thro' the dim dawn — advanced 
The monster, and then paused, and spake no word. 

But Gareth spake and all indignantly, 
"Fool, for thou hast, men say, the strength of ten, 
Canst thou not trust the limbs thy God hath given, 



94 GARETH AND LYNETTE. 

But must, to make the terror of thee more. 
Trick thyself out in ghastly imageries 
Of that which Life hath done with, and the clod, 
Less dull than thou, will hide with mantling 

flowers 
As if for pity ? " But he spake no word ; 
Which set the horror higher : a maiden swoon'd ; 
The Lady Lyonors wrung her hands and wept, 
As doom'd to be the bride of Night and Death ; 
Sir Gareth's head prickled beneath his helm ; 
And ev'n Sir Lancelot thro' his warm blood felt 
Ice strike, and all that mark'd him were aghast. 

At once Sir Lancelot's charger fiercely neigh'd — 
At once the black horse bounded forward with him. 
Then those that did not blink the terror, saw 
That Death was cast to ground, and slowly rose. 
But with one stroke Sir Gareth split the skull. 
Half fell to right and half to left and lay. 
Then with a strono:er buffet he clove the helm 



X107 



GARETH AND LYNETTE. 95 

As throughly as the skull ; and out from this 

Issued the bright face of a blooming boy 

Fresh as a flower new-born, and crying, " Knight, 

Slay me not : my three brethren bad me do it, 

To make a horror all about the house. 

And stay the world from Lady Lyonors. 

They never dream'd the passes would be past." 

Answer'd Sir Gareth graciously to one 

Not many a moon his younger, "My fair child. 

What madness made thee challenge the chief 

knight 
Of Arthur's hall ? " " Fair Sir, they bad me do it. 
They hate the King, and Lancelot, the King's friend. 
They hoped to slay him somewhere on the stream. 
They never dream'd the passes could be past." 

Then sprang the happier day from underground ; 
And Lady Lyonors and her house, with dance 
And revel and song, made merry over Death, 
As being after all their foolish fears 



96 



GARETH AND LYNETTE, 



And horrors only prov'n a blooming boy. 

So large mirth lived and Gareth won the quest. 

And he that told the tale in older times 
Says that Sir Gareth wedded Lyonors, 
But he, that told it later, says Lynette. 




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